The Dude drinks nine white Russians during the course of the movie "The Big Lebowski." We don't suggest you try to keep up with that pace, but if you want to drink along, here's a recipe to make them the way the Dude drinks them:

Mix two parts vodka with one part coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua, with one or two parts half-and-half. Drink over ice in a lowball glass. Kick back and do what have you. And abide.

"There's no secret to making a great white Russian. But I free pour my drinks. People just love extra vodka."

Karen Diaz, 44Fountain Bowl bartender

The Dude's White Russian

The Dude drinks nine white Russians during the course of the movie. We don't suggest you try to keep up with that pace, but if you want to drink along, here's a recipe to make them the way the Dude drinks them:

Mix two parts vodka with one part coffee liqueur such as Kahlua with one or two parts half-and-half. Drink over ice in a lowball glass. Kick back and do what have you. And abide.

"There's no secret to making a great white Russian. But I free pour my drinks. People just love extra vodka."

Karen Diaz, 44, Fountain Bowl bartender

Fountain Bowl rates

Monday-Friday (until 6 p.m.): $4.50/game

Monday-Friday (after 6 p.m.): $5.50/game

Saturday and Sunday: $5.50/game

Sunday "Beat the Clock"

8-9 a.m.: $2/game

9-10 a.m.: $2:50/game

10-11 a.m.: $3/game

11 a.m.-noon: $3.50/game

Cosmic Bowling

Friday, 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m.: $15/person

Saturday, 11 p.m.-2 a.m.: $18/person

Shoe rental:

$4/per pair

Rates in 1974:

$2.50 to $3 per game

Rates in 1980s:

$3.50 to $4

FOUNTAIN VALLEY – Once a week, Dave Osborn will pick out a lane at Fountain Bowl, order a Crown Royal on the rocks, or maybe a glass of wine, and bowl a few games with his wife, Mona.

Osborn, 63, knows the lanes better than anyone – he knows the method of laying down the oil and has held the pins in his hands. That's because, since 1988, he has co-owned Fountain Bowl, the massive city landmark at Brookhurst Street and Warner Avenue.

His mark is all over Fountain Bowl. He has a corner office. The bar, Ozzie's, is named after him. A photo album that sits on his bookshelf has pictures from different celebrations the bowling center has hosted over the years.

As such, Osborn is uniquely qualified to discuss the history of the sprawling 60-lane bowling center, which is entering its 39th year of business, and its place among the crown jewels of Southern California bowling.

"There are a lot of nice bowling centers in Orange County," Osborn said. "But ours is the biggest, our reputation is the most prestigious and we've maintained the center. I think we're considered one of the best ones."

Since Fountain Bowl opened in November 1974, it has been regarded as a top destination for amateurs and pros alike, receiving nearly 7,000 bowlers a week, and hosting regular charity events, countless Professional Bowlers Association tournaments and five U.S. Opens. In 2010, it was selected as the best bowling center in the Register's "Best of Orange County" list. In 2011 and 2012, it came in second behind the club-like Lucky Strike.

"It's great," said Mona Drake, 24, of Fountain Valley. "I've been coming here for years. It's in good condition, the lanes are nice and Barry (Asher) gave me lessons."

Asher is one of two pros who works at Fountain Bowl, and is the center's resident cult celebrity. He worked as the lead consultant in the Coen brothers film "The Big Lebowski," about a slacker bowler and his friends. The last shot of the movie is Asher bowling in the background. The PBA Hall of Famer, who has frequented every bowling alley in the county, was once adamant about never being a center's pro. But after learning that Fountain Bowl was looking for a new pro seven years ago, he decided to make an exception.

"I always hated the bowling pro business," Asher said. "But I decided I would do it here. I enjoy coming here. It's a nice center with good people."

Originally founded by a group of doctors, Fountain Bowl was built in an architectural style that, Osborn said, was ahead of its time.

"To have such a massive, free-standing structure without columns is impressive," he said. The lack of columns, he said, allowed for more lanes, making it optimal for large crowds and tournaments.

In 1988, the original owners sold Fountain Bowl to a group of investors, L.A. Land, which included Osborn. When Osborn heard that Fountain Bowl was available, he gave a two-word response: "Buy it."

"I had been working in Southern California for years by that point," he said. "So I knew what a great center it was."

Three years later, Fountain Bowl hosted the women's U.S. Open. It hosted again in 1992. Less than 10 years later, Fountain Bowl hosted three straight men's U.S. Opens, from 2000-02.

"We're one of the few centers in the country that has hosted that many," Osborn said.

And now, even though it has not hosted a U.S. Open for more than 10 years, the bowling center is still a Fountain Valley treasure. It hosts several charity events each year for nonprofits, including California Elwyn, Fountain Valley Kiwanis and the Kelly Osborn Memorial Scholarship Fund, created in the memory of Osborn's daughter who died in a car crash at 19.

Osborn said business is still going strong, as evidenced by the many leagues – from senior to his-and-hers leagues – that fill the lanes. But Osborn also said what makes Fountain Bowl special is its open-door policy – the staff wants to make everyone comfortable.

"A bowling center is a community," he said. "Bowling has a magical presence to it. You say 'bowling' and people smile, 'Oh, I love bowling.' Even if you're not good at it. So we try to appeal to everyone. That's what makes this place great."

Related Links

Bowlers show their style at Fountain Bowl on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Fountain Bowl on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley is among the businesses recognized in the Best of Orange County 2012. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
James Hoosier of San Pedro, left, who starred as a featured extra in the role of Liam, Jesus' bowling partner, has fun shining bowling balls as was done in the movie with Danielle Townshend of Los Angeles during Lebowski festival at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Families walk past the iconic fountain at Fountain Bowl on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. It is among the businesses recognized in the Best of Orange County 2012. JEBB HARRIS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Barry Asher runs the pro shop at Fountain Bowl. He is also a world-class bowler who was hired by the Coen brothers to be a bowling consultant for the movie "The Big Lebowski." STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
At Fountain Bowl on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley, 4-year-old Ethan Bartley show his bowling ball delivery. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Pins go flying at Fountain Bowl on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chris Galvin of Orange shows off his gold bowling shoes similar to those worn by the character Jeff Lebowski during the dream sequence of the film "The Big Lebowski." STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Kim Holden of Long Beach throws her arms up in celebration after knocking down the pins while wearing bowling pin cut outs on her head she made herself similar to those use in the film "The Big Lebowski" during a Lebowski festival at the Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Jack Flesuras of Los Angeles, who will be 3 in May, takes his turn on stage in front of other Jeff Lebowskis as everyone cheers during the costume contest of Lebowski festival at the Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley. Little Jack has yet to see the R-rated film. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Dave Osborne, co-owner of Fountain Bowl
George Hiza, 73, Westminster resident
John Leitgeb, 49, employee for Kingston Technology in Fountain Valley
Karen Diaz, 44, Fountain Bowl bartender
Mona Osborn, 53, assistant manager
Bowlers go through their various stages of bowling and follow through at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley. FILE: BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brian Voss exults near the end of his semi-final round with Eugene McCune of the PBA Orange County Classic Final in 2004 at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley as it becomes apparent that he's about to win the round. He went on to defeat Michale Machuga in the final round, taking home a cool $40,000. FILE PHOTO
A White Russian cocktail
David J. Osborn, vice president of operations at the Fountain Bowl, was preparing to host the PBA Dick Weber Open in 2006. FILE PHOTO
Eylene Abels makes her approach during the sixth-annual fund aiser in memory of Kelly Osborne held at Fountain Bowl in this file photo. FILE: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sally Satterfield clowns around during an 1990 bowl-a-thon at Fountain Bowl. With her is Marlene Beck of the Community Services Department. FILE
Walter Ray Williams Jr. reacts after bowling a strike in a match against Michael Haugen Jr. during the U.S. Open of Bowling in this file photo. SUZANNE MAPES

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